Happy Friday — we’re back with more Hot Bones. Congratulations to anyone smart enough to take today off or lucky enough to get a company half-day. For everyone else, hopefully this edition will be a temporary portal to impending weekend vibes.

Mainly that’s because I’m stoked to announce the official, first-ever, probably glitchy Hot Bones referral system. When you refer a friend to the newsletter —> you get prizes.

I’ll go into more detail below, but the main thing you should know is that G has been stealing the Hot Bones hats, so you should get your 3 referrals in before they’re all gone.

This is your unique referral code to share with others: {{ rp_refer_url }}

We’ve got a nice long vacation weekend ahead of us, which may mean you’re staring down at an empty suitcase and a ticking clock right about now.

My working theory is that packing for trips is one of those specific activities where the second you start to do it, you forget everything you’ve known about packing for trips. Like getting to the grocery store and then wondering what foods you actually like eating.

There are two iconic stories that have yet to be outlived in my family — both involving my dad packing for trips. 

The first was 20+ years ago, when we were headed off on a family weekend away somewhere involving an airplane (can’t remember where). All four of us had just gone through security when my dad said, “I’ll catch up with you guys,” and headed in the opposite direction.

“Weird, ok bye.”

The rest of the fam kept walking toward Hudson News to each get our one allotted airplane snack and thumb through the age-appropriate magazines (HBR, MIT Review, Businessweek, just kidding, you couldn’t keep this kid away from the glossy full-page spreads of Field & Stream).

“Do you know where Dad went?” I asked my brother.

“No clue.” 

Eventually, we left the news stand, checked out the gate, walked down the entire terminal 3 or 4 times, probably went to the bathroom and whatever else you did to kill 45 minutes of airport time before iPhones were invented.

Soon enough, the gate attendant started the one thousand pre-boarding categories (“ ... and we’d now like to welcome all active duty zookeepers to please join us”). This is usually when my mom starts hovering over the boarding group stanchions, and the only thing holding her back now was that we still didn’t know where my dad was. 

“Are you sure you don’t know where your father went?” the vein in my mom’s forehead pulsed in Morse code. 

The boarding line kept shuffling forward.

“ ... and we’d now like to welcome all parents, soon to be parents, and anyone who has ever looked a baby in the eye to please join us …”

“Goddammit we’re going to miss this flight.”

And then, with the ease of a college senior taking an exam pass/fail, there was my dad walking toward us like nothing had happened and the vibes weren’t super off. He shrugged and mentioned something about Sharper Image.

We boarded the plane, had a great trip, and that was that.

Years later, my dad told me in some offhand moment that that was the trip where he’d forgotten his BlackBerry. Apparently, after realizing his mistake while going through security, he figured the best, most logical, in fact the only option was to not tell anyone, pull off from the group, and go get it before the plane took off.

So as soon as we were out of eyeshot, he had sprinted out of the terminal, took whatever economy lot bus was arriving, jumped in the car, drove probably 90 mph along Rock Creek Parkway to get home (under normal circumstances this is at least a half-hour drive), got home, disabled the alarm, picked up his BlackBerry right on the front hall table, and then did everything in reverse — including going through security a second time — to reach Gate Whatever Number before our boarding group was called and my mom imploded in airplane panic. 

And he told no one. Absolute icon.

The second story is when we went on a two-week trip to the UK and my dad forgot to pack a single pair of boxers. 

Bottom line: I created the Weekend away with the Climate Trifecta downloadable kit to help you remember to pack undies and bring your phone.

In fact, I’ve designed this thing so that on your next trip, regardless of whether you’re on a beach getaway, house-sitting for your neighbor, or visiting your in-laws, you’ll not only pack the right stuff but you’ll also hit the Climate Trifecta — products that are good for you, good for your wallet, and good for the planet.

1 referral gets you this kit. 

Once you send out a referral to a friend, coworker, family member, etc and they sign up for the newsletter, you’ll get an automated email with the link to download your free copy.

Not too much to explain on this one.

Bottom line: 3 referrals gets you an HB hat. Once the people you’ve referred sign up, you’ll get an automated email with a few details for where I should send or deliver your hat, free of charge.

Shopping for resale clothing and gear is a huge way to make a positive climate impact. That’s because there’s a shocking amount of textile waste going on — in the US 85% of clothing ends up in landfills or gets incinerated every year.

And what’s even more shocking is that a pair of lightly used Patagonia Baggies are $30 instead of $60.

Moral of the story: Patagonia is expensive — but Patagonia Worn Wear is not. And the good news is that it isn’t just Birkenstock brands that are offering resale options for their products. Try:

As well as massive online platforms like ThredUp and Poshmark.

Plus, you can also sell your own stuff on most of these sites for store credit or straight up cash.

Bottom line: 15 referrals gets you a $100 gift card to the resale store of your choosing.

Will something go wrong with this referral scheme? Most likely. 

Will we be able to fix it? Probably! 

Will it help promote the stress-free, balanced lifestyle I’ve been searching for? Definitely not!

Saying this out loud mainly to prepare myself for weird internet glitches and to ask for your patience as we iron out the process :)

Send me an email anytime if something’s wonky. (Just hit reply.)

🍋 Meal of the week: Can’t vouch for taste on this vegan lemon cake specifically, but the chocolate chip cookies from Nora Cooks single handedly resulted in me gaining 10 pounds at the beginning of the pandemic, so I think we’re in good hands.

🐶 Pet of the week: Jaden! Melt your heart with white socks and side eye for days (female hound/collie mix, 6 months, 21 lbs).

🏞️ Absolute zen: Slow flow yoga by the river, plus free coffee. Saturdays 8-9am.

📜 Long, boring, tedious survey you should definitely take: Cville residents, this one’s for you.

💼 Job of the week: VP of Design and Innovation at Rothy’s ($250k – $325k base pay, you do have to move to SF)